I had the privilege of sitting down with David Giles, a 2026 State House candidate from District 27 (Alton, Argyle, Bradford, Corinth, Hudson, and Milford), to dive into Maine’s education challenges—issues the mainstream media, like the Portland Press Herald, sidesteps. David, a retired Army and Maine Air National Guard veteran and former computer repair teacher at Tri-County Tech Center, shared his journey from a troubled youth in rural Maine to finding purpose in the military and education. Now running an investment advisory firm, he’s passionate about fixing public schools without abandoning them. Unlike many conservatives pushing school choice, David cautions against a mass exodus to homeschooling or private schools, arguing it could harm rural communities by reducing state funding (around $7,500 per student in his district) and increasing property taxes to cover fixed costs. He also warns of “stratification,” where wealthier families pull out, leaving less affluent students behind, widening inequality.
Drawing on Adam Smith’s Wealth of Nations, David emphasized education as critical human infrastructure, like roads or defense, essential for a prosperous society. He believes public schools foster civic engagement and opportunity for all, which vouchers or homeschooling might undermine by disengaging parents from local systems. While acknowledging the “woke” nonsense in some schools, like gender ideology or DEI overreach, he insists rural Maine schools aren’t as bad as urban ones and urges parents to get involved through school boards to fix issues locally. As a Christian and Republican, David’s running to promote smart government, not bigger government, and calls for mentoring new leaders and supporting teachers who fight the good fight. This episode is a compelling case for staying engaged in our schools and communities—tune in to hear why David’s fighting for Maine’s future and how you can join him.
David stresses that while he opposes abandoning public schools, he recognizes parents must prioritize their children’s best interests. He notes that larger schools, particularly in urban areas, have adopted extreme policies, making it challenging to elect school board members who can drive change. However, he believes rural Maine schools can be reformed through active community involvement. His concern is that pulling kids out of public schools often leads parents to disengage from school boards, weakening local oversight and influence.
See the full interview here: https://muddywaters.us/podcast/episode-97-with-david-giles-candidate-for-maine-house-27/